Missouri Family Caregiving Valued at $8.9 Billion

KANSAS CITY - A new report from AARP's Public Policy Institute said Tuesday the total economic value of caring for a family member or friend with a chronic condition or disability in Missouri was $8.9 billion in 2009.

The report said an estimated 1.2 million Missourians provided care during 2009. The estimated value of care giving in the U.S. was $450 billion.

According to the report, the average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who spends nearly 20 hours a week providing unpaid care to a family member. Almost two-thirds of family caregivers are women. The report also said more than eight out of 10 are caring for someone age 50 or older.

The report also found shorter hospital stays and advances in home-based medical technology means care giving is increasing in complexity.